Used bargain: Jaguar XF

If you like the idea of driving one of the best executive cars on the market, but don’t fancy the entry-level price of around £30,000, opting for a used Jaguar XF might be the answer.

Early versions of our 2008 Car of the Year can be had for less than £11,000, while later, low-mileage examples are available for sub-£15k.

We’ve always loved the way the XF handles – it’s surprisingly agile for such a large car. It looks great, it's quiet and while the rear space is a little limited, the boot is a decent size.

Our favourite used buy is the 2.7 V6 Diesel Luxury. It was available with 204bhp until 2009, when a 237bhp 3.0-litre V6 came along. Luxury trim brings sat-nav, climate control, leather seats and parking sensors as standard.

However, while the JD Power satisfaction survey shows owners are generally happy with their car, these retired business barges haven’t fared so well in the reliability survey. The electrics are a known problem, with the sat-nav freezing and stereo refusing to work properly.

Furthermore, the doors and fuel cap can refuse to open, while the door trim can start to work itself loose. It’s also worth checking the air-con thoroughly, and you should make sure the turbo isn’t making any strange noises or causing a loss of power.